Apparel with optionally heated cavities

ABSTRACT

An optionally heated boot includes an upper footwear portion and a lower footwear portion which is attached to the upper footwear portion. The lower portion contains a sole having an upper surface and a lower surface. At least one cavity extends downwardly from the upper surface of the sole. A heating element is removably disposed within the cavity. An insole covers the sole and the heating element. The upper surface of the sole has an opening to a cavity therein. Similar cavities, generally in the form of pockets, allow for the placement of a heating element into gloves and/or earmuffs.

BACKGROUND

This invention relates to apparel with optionally heated cavities and, more particularly, to an optionally heated footwear in which the insoles are removable to allow for the placement of either a cavity filler or a heating element in a cavity extends downwardly from the upper surface of the sole of the footwear. The footwear is also referred to herein as shoes or boots.

Similar cavities, generally in the form of pockets, allow for the placement of a heating element into earmuffs and/or handwear devices, referred to herein as gloves, fingerless gloves, or mittens.

DISCUSSION

The discussion that follows applies to heated footwear. These same principles can be applied to heated handwear and ear muffs.

Heated footwear devices provide a way whereby a wearer's feet may be kept warm, especially in cold weather. These devices increase the wearer's ability to withstand the cold allowing for prolonged periods of exposure and reducing the likelihood of frostbite. However, these devices typically alter the footwear affecting its comfort.

Existing footwear devices do not disclose a boot worn with either a heating element or a cavity filler in a cavity located on the upper surface of the sole of the footwear.

In these respects, a boot with optionally heated cavities according to the present invention substantially departs from the conventional concepts and designs of the prior art, and in so doing provides an apparatus primarily developed for the purpose of maintaining warmth for a wearer's feet, especially in cold weather.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of heated footwear now present in the prior art, the present invention provides a boot with optionally heated cavities.

An optionally heated boot includes an upper footwear portion and a lower footwear portion which is attached to the upper footwear portion. The lower portion contains a sole having an upper surface and a lower surface. At least one cavity extends downwardly from the upper surface of the sole. A heating element is removably disposed within the cavity. An insole covers the sole and the heating element. Similar cavities, generally in the form of pockets, allow for the placement of a heating element into earmuffs and/or gloves.

An object of the present invention is to provide an optionally heated boot which is comfortable and feels substantially similar to a normal boot without placing the heating element in direct contact with the skin.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an optionally heated boot which may be easily and efficiently manufactured and marketed.

Other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become clear from the following description of the preferred embodiment when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side view of an optionally heated boot according to applicant's invention wherein a cavity containing a heating element is located in a front (toe) region of the boot under a removable insole.

FIG. 2 is a top view of the heated boot shown in FIG. 1 wherein the removable insole has been pulled backward across an intermediate section to permit access to the heating element held in the cavity below.

FIG. 3 is a side view of another optionally heated boot according to the present invention wherein a cavity containing a heating element is located at a rear (heel) region of the boot under the removable insole.

FIG. 4 is a top view of the heated boot shown in FIG. 3 wherein the removable insole has been pulled forward across the intermediate section to permit access to the heating element held in the cavity below.

FIG. 5 is a side view of another optionally heated boot according to the present invention wherein a cavity containing a heating element is located under the length of the removable insole.

FIG. 6 is a top view of the heated boot shown in FIG. 5 wherein the removable insole has been lifted from the front (toe) region and the rear (heel) region of the boot to permit access to the heating element held in the cavity below.

FIG. 7 is a side view of another optionally heated boot according to the present invention wherein an integrated cavity filler and insole has replaced the separate insole and heating element shown in FIGS. 5-6.

FIG. 8 is a top view of the optionally heated boot shown in FIG. 7 wherein the integrated cavity filler and insole has been lifted from the front (toe) region and the rear (heel) region of the boot to permit access to the cavity below.

FIG. 9 is a side view of the optionally heated boot according to the present invention wherein a cavity filler has replaced the heating element shown in FIG. 5 in the cavity under the length of the removable insole.

FIG. 10 is a view of an optionally heated glove according to applicant's invention wherein a flap has been lifted to reveal a pocket located on the back area of the glove, containing a heating element, and illustrating a snap closure.

FIG. 11 is a view of another optionally heated glove according to applicant's invention wherein the flap has been lifted to reveal the pocket located on the back area of the glove, containing the heating element, and illustrating a button closure.

FIG. 12 shows another optionally heated glove according to applicant's invention wherein the flap has been lifted to reveal the pocket located on the back area of the glove, containing the heating element, and illustrating a hook-and-loop closure.

FIG. 13 is a view of another optionally heated glove wherein a detachable pocket having an opening adjacent to the second (index) finger for receiving a heating element is attached with a hook-and-loop closure to the back of the proximal region of the second finger and to the fifth finger at substantially the same point.

FIG. 14 is a view of another optionally heated glove according to applicant's invention wherein a pocket located on the palm area of the glove and having an opening on the thumb side receives a heating element.

FIG. 15 shows another optionally heated glove according to applicant's invention wherein the flap has been lifted to reveal the pocket located on the palm area of the glove, containing the heating element, and illustrating the hook-and-loop closure.

FIG. 16 is a view of a fingerless optionally heated glove according to applicant's invention wherein the flap has been lifted to reveal the pocket located on the palm area of the glove, containing the heating element, and illustrating the hook-and-loop closure.

FIG. 17 is a view of an optionally heated mitten according to applicant's invention wherein a flap has been lifted to reveal a pocket located on the palm area of the glove, containing a heating element, and illustrating a hook-and-loop closure.

FIG. 18 is a view of optionally heated earmuffs according to applicant's invention wherein a pocket containing a heating element is located in each ear covering.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following description, like numerals and characters designate like elements throughout the figures of the drawings.

Referring generally to the drawings and more particularly to FIGS. 1-2, a heated boot 50 in accordance with the present invention is shown. The heated boot 50 includes a sole 52, a removable insole 76, and an upper portion 54 for accepting a foot. The upper portion 54 is formed by a pair of sides 56 and 58 attached to the sole 52 having a sole width 60. The sole 52 includes a front (toe) region 62, a rear (heel) region 64, and an upper surface 66 extending from the front (toe) region 62 to the rear (heel) region 64. The removable insole 76 covers the upper surface 66 of the sole 52.

The sole 52 contains a cavity 68 having an opening 70 on the upper surface 66 and extending downwardly. The cavity 68 extends from the front (toe) region 62 toward an intermediate region 74 of the sole 52. A heating element 72 resides and is removably positioned within the cavity 68. The removable insole 76 closes the opening 70 to the cavity 68 and covers the heating element 72.

Referring now to FIGS. 3-4, another heated boot 51 is shown. A cavity 168 extends from the rear (heel) region 64 toward the intermediate region 74 of the sole 52. Lifting the removable insole 76 from the rear (heel) region 64 reveals an opening 170 to the cavity 168 and a heating element 172 contained therein (See FIG. 4).

Referring now to FIGS. 5-6, another heated boot 251 is shown. A cavity 268 extends from the front (toe) region 62 to the rear (heel) region 64. In FIG. 6, lifting the removable insole 76 at the front (toe) region 62 and the rear (heel) region 64 reveals an opening 270 to the cavity 268 and a heating element 272 contained therein.

Referring now to FIGS. 7-8, the cavity 268 extends from the front (toe) region 62 to the rear (heel) region 64. In FIG. 8, an integrated cavity filler and insole 382 is illustrated. This insole 382 is an alternate insole to the removable insole 76 (See FIGS. 2 and 4). A cavity filler part 380 of the integrated cavity filler and insole 382 resides within the cavity 268 while an insole part 376 of the integrated cavity filler and insole 382 covers the upper surface 66 of the sole 52. Generally, the cavity filler part 380 is constructed of a material substantially similar to the material of the sole 52.

Referring now to FIG. 9, the cavity 268 extends from the front (toe) region 62 to the rear (heel) region 64 as illustrated in FIG. 5. The removable insole 76 covers the opening 270 (See FIG. 6) to the cavity 268 and a cavity filler 400 contained therein. Generally, the cavity filler 400 is constructed of a material substantially similar to the material of the sole 52.

Referring generally to FIGS. 10-17, and more particularly to FIG. 10, a heated glove 450 in accordance with applicant's invention is shown. A flap 476 attached to the back (posterior) area 464 of the glove 450 forms a pocket 468. The flap 476 has been lifted to reveal a snap closure 486 and a heating element 472. The flap 476, when closed, covers the heating element 472.

Referring now to FIG. 11, an optionally heated glove 451 is shown. The flap 476 attached to the back area 464 of the heated glove 451 has been lifted to reveal a button closure 488 and the heating element 472. The flap 476, when closed, covers the heating element 472.

Referring now to FIG. 12, an optionally heated glove 461 is shown. The flap 476 attached to the back area 464 of the glove 461 has been lifted to reveal a hook-and-loop closure 484 and the heating element 472. The flap 476, when closed, covers the heating element 472.

Referring now to FIG. 13, an optionally heated glove 950 is shown. A detachable pocket 968 receives a heating element 972 through a slot opening 970. The detachable pocket 968 is affixed using pair of hook-and-loop fasteners 984. One hook-and-loop fastener 984 secures the detachable pocket 968 to the back 964 of the proximal region 960 of the second (index) finger 956. The second hook-and-loop fastener 984 (not shown) secures the detachable pocket 968 to the proximal region 962 of the fifth finger 958. The slot opening 970 is adjacent to the second finger 956.

Referring now to FIG. 14, another heated glove 650 in accordance with applicant's invention is shown. An expandable pocket 668 is formed by a flap 676 of expandable material attached to the palm area 662 of the glove 650 creating a slot opening 670 to the pocket 668 into which a heating element 672 is inserted. Generally, the slot opening 670 to the pocket 668 opens toward the thumb 654 and is narrower than the heating element 672 so that once the heating element 672 is inserted, the expandable pocket 668 contracts and the heating element 672 is secured.

Referring now to FIG. 15, another heated glove 750 is shown. A pocket 768 is formed by a flap 776 attached to the palm area 762 of the glove 750. The flap 776 has been partially lifted to reveal a hook-and-loop closure 784 and a heating element 772. The flap 776, when closed, covers the heating element 772.

Referring now to FIG. 16, a heated fingerless glove 850 in accordance with applicant's invention is shown. A pocket 868 is formed by a flap 876 attached to the palm area 862 of the glove 850. The flap 876 has been partially lifted to reveal a hook-and-loop closure 884 and a heating element 872. The flap 876, when closed, covers the heating element 872.

Referring now to FIG. 17, a heated mitten 550 in accordance with applicant's invention is shown. A pocket 568 is formed by a flap 576 attached to the palm area 562 of the mitten. The flap 576 has been partially lifted to reveal a hook-and-loop closure 584 and a heating element 572. The flap 576, when closed, covers the heating element 572.

Referring now to FIG. 18, heated earmuffs 1050 in accordance with applicant's invention are shown. Heated earmuffs 1050 include a left ear covering 1056 and a right ear covering 1058 and may include an adjustable headband 1054 connecting the left ear covering 1056 and the right ear covering 1058. Both the left ear covering 1056 and the right ear covering 1058 include an opening 1070 to a pocket 1068 at the covering's surface 1066. The opening 1070 in the right ear covering 1058 is partially ajar to reveal a heating element 1072 disposed within the pocket 1068.

The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the invention's principles and its practical application, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is intended that the invention's scope be defined by the claims appended hereto and their equivalents. 

1. An optionally heated boot, comprising: an upper footwear portion; a lower footwear portion attached to said upper footwear portion, said lower footwear portion further comprising: a sole, said sole being characterized as having an upper surface and a lower surface, said sole having at least one cavity extending downwardly from said upper surface; a heating element removably disposed within said cavity; and an insole covering said sole and said heating element disposed within said cavity.
 2. The device of claim 1, further comprising a cavity filler having a shape substantially the same as the shape of said heating element, wherein said cavity filler is disposed within said cavity when said heating element is removed because heating is not desired.
 3. The device of claim 1, wherein said sole is further characterized as having a front region near the toe of the boot, a rear region near the heel of the boot, and an intermediate region generally midway between said front region and said rear region, wherein said cavity is located adjacent to said front region of said sole.
 4. The device of claim 1, wherein said sole is further characterized as having a front region near the toe of the boot, a rear region near the heel of the boot, and an intermediate region generally midway between said front region and said rear region, wherein said cavity is located adjacent to said rear region of said sole.
 5. The device of claim 1, wherein said sole is further characterized as having a front region near the toe of the boot, a rear region near the heel of the boot, and an intermediate region generally midway between said front region and said rear region, wherein said cavity is located adjacent to the front region of said sole and extends so that said cavity is also adjacent to the rear region of said sole.
 6. A lower footwear portion for attachment to an upper footwear portion to form an optionally heated footwear, said lower footwear portion, comprising: a sole, said sole being characterized as having an upper surface and a lower surface, said sole having at least one cavity extending downwardly from said upper surface; a heating element removably disposed within said cavity; and an insole covering said sole and said heating element disposed within said cavity.
 7. The device of claim 6, further comprising a cavity filler having a shape substantially the same as the shape of said heating element, wherein said cavity filler is disposed within said cavity when said heating element is removed because heating is not desired.
 8. The device of claim 6, wherein said sole is further characterized as having a front region near the toe of the boot, a rear region near the heel of the boot, and an intermediate region generally midway between said front region and said rear region, wherein said cavity is located adjacent to said front region of said sole.
 9. The device of claim 6, wherein said sole is further characterized as having a front region near the toe of the boot, a rear region near the heel of the boot, and an intermediate region generally midway between said front region and said rear region, wherein said cavity is located adjacent to said rear region of said sole.
 10. The device of claim 6, wherein said sole is further characterized as having a front region near the toe of the boot, a rear region near the heel of the boot, and an intermediate region generally midway between said front region and said rear region, wherein said cavity is located adjacent to the front region of said sole and extends so that said cavity is also adjacent to the rear region of said sole.
 11. An optionally heated glove, comprising: a glove; a pocket formed by attaching a flap to said glove, said pocket having an opening on at least one side; a heating element removably disposed within said pocket and covered by said flap; and a closing means, wherein said heating element is disposed within said pocket for heating said glove and wherein said heating element is removed from said pocket when heating is not desired.
 12. The device of claim 11, wherein said closing means is a button closure.
 13. The device of claim 11, wherein said closing means is a snap closure.
 14. The device of claim 11, wherein said closing means is a hook-and-loop closure.
 15. The device of claim 11, wherein said covering is further characterized as having a palm area and a back area, wherein said pocket is located adjacent to said palm area.
 16. The device of claim 11, wherein said covering is further characterized as having a palm area and a back area, wherein said pocket is located adjacent to said back area.
 17. An optionally heated glove, comprising: a glove; a detachable pocket, affixed to said glove using a hook-and-loop attachment, with an opening on one side; and a heating element removably disposed within said pocket through said opening, wherein said pocket is affixed to said covering with the heating element disposed within said pocket for heating said glove and wherein said pocket is removed when heating is not desired.
 18. The device of claim 17, wherein said covering is further characterized as having a palm area and a back area, wherein said pocket is attached adjacent to said palm area.
 19. The device of claim 17, wherein said covering is further characterized as having a palm area and a back area and having five fingers numbered from the thumb, each of said second finger and said fifth finger has a proximal region, wherein said pocket is attached adjacent to the back of the proximal region of the second (index) finger and to the proximal region of the fifth finger.
 20. An optionally heated earmuff, comprising: an ear covering; a pocket located within said ear covering having an opening at the surface of said ear covering; and a heating element removably disposed within said pocket, wherein said heating element is disposed within said pocket for heating said earmuff and wherein said heating element is removed from said pocket when heating is not desired. 